Music and Imagery Psychotherapy
In addition to being a UKCP-registered Psychotherapist, I am also an HCPC-registered Music Psychotherapist. I offer individual Music Imagery Psychotherapy and am currently the only UKCP Psychotherapist trained to offer this.
Music Imagery Psychotherapy rests upon a long tradition which recognises the transformative power of music to go sometimes where words cannot. It enables us to explore our inner world and our unconscious in safe, gentle yet powerful ways. We all have a right-brained intelligence, a more embodied and creative way of understanding ourselves, which is often underused. Music Imagery Psychotherapy taps naturally into this, gently challenging fixed ways of being.
As a uniquely flexible modality, this therapy can also be skilfully integrated into standard psychotherapy, often getting quickly to the heart of an emotive issue. Some of the restorative aspects can also be used to build inner resources prior to EMDR processing.
Sessions are usually offered face to face, though online sessions are also available.
Although Music Imagery Psychotherapy may appeal to musicians and creative people, absolutely no musical background is required to benefit from this therapy.
What is Music Imagery Psychotherapy and how does it work?
Music Imagery Psychotherapy is an offshoot of Guided Imagery in Music created by the American music therapist Helen Bonny. Sessions are carefully structured and seek to integrate the natural healing and imaginative capacities of music. It works by gently activating your nervous system with carefully chosen pre-recorded music.
What happens in a session?
In the first session I complete an intake questionnaire and we try out the process together to explore how it may best support you going forward.
In the following sessions, the basic structure is:
- Check-in and sharing a current issue or problem
- Identifying an issue and collaboratively choosing suitable pre-recorded music
- Short relaxation and preparation for the music drawing
- Listening to music while exploring feelings and mark-making with pastels on paper
- Discussion to integrate new insights, feelings, and resources
Why use music?
Although prerecorded music may sound simple, the music that feels right for you can be powerfully transformational. Personally meaningful music can reach deeper areas of the mind, engaging imagination and creativity while supporting calm and regulation within the nervous system.
Music choice is therefore an important collaborative part of each session. No artistic ability is required — the process draws on your natural responses to music and imagination.
Who can benefit?
Many people benefit from this therapy. It can be especially helpful for:
- Anxiety
- Depression or low mood
- Bereavement or loss
- Relationship difficulties
- Work-related stress
- Addictions
- Health problems, illness, or disability
- Difficult life transitions
- Feeling a lack of purpose or meaning
- Feeling disconnected from creativity
- Wanting to experience more beauty and connection through music
If you would like to explore whether this feels right for you, please feel free to get in touch with any questions.
What are the benefits?
Benefits depend on individual needs, but clients commonly report:
- Feeling calmer and more grounded
- Feeling more hopeful and resourced
- Greater energy and motivation
- Connecting with emotions rather than avoiding them
- Greater tolerance for difficult feelings
- More patience and self-compassion
- Improved emotional balance
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